New Grad ICU Float-Possible? Or Impending Disaster?

PhysioJ · May 23, 2016

Bump! Would really appreciate any thoughts :)

brownbook · May 23, 2016

I'm prejudiced because inspite of my basic medical/surg background I love floating, even to ICU/CCU. I never had a problem. I can't believe I was just lucky? Co-workers in specialized units were always helpful and appreciated my help. It's like duh....the reason they need a float is because they're busy and they (I repeat) appreciate my being there!

Where I worked there was no official program.

guest769224 · May 23, 2016

I used to work near a University that hired new grads into critical care float pool, where they would float between each ICU and the emergency department. I got a job offer for it, but turned it down to move back home! You have an amazing opportunity lined out ahead of you. I say take it! That is like the #1 position that any new grad could ask for. Imagine how much you will learn.

You'll be a critical care expert. Key to success is a LONG orientation! The university I mentioned trained those new grads close to a full year before independence. What a dreamâ€¦sometimes I wish I could go back to that offer. I work a general ICU now. You'd be crazy not to take it, in my opinion. But I'm obsessed with critical care.

PhysioJ · May 23, 2016

I used to work near a University that hired new grads into critical care float pool, where they would float between each ICU and the emergency department. I got a job offer for it, but turned it down to move back home! You have an amazing opportunity lined out ahead of you. I say take it! That is like the #1 position that any new grad could ask for. Imagine how much you will learn.
You'll be a critical care expert. Key to success is a LONG orientation! The university I mentioned trained those new grads close to a full year before independence. What a dreamâ€¦sometimes I wish I could go back to that offer. I work a general ICU now. You'd be crazy not to take it, in my opinion. But I'm obsessed with critical care.

Thanks that definitely puts me at ease. Yeah I don't know if the program would start or if I'd be selected for it, but it's just something I heard.

Do do you have any more details on that program? Like which ICUs were included, and how long would a new grad orient in each? Also how long was classroom orientation, if you know?

Yeah I really want to start in ICU (I'd love to be on RRT/code team in a few years), and I heard this as one more option in my area for new grad ICU RNs, so I'm curious as to how this works elsewhere and how common it is.

Thanks again, appreciate it!

guest769224 · May 24, 2016

Do do you have any more details on that program? Like which ICUs were included, and how long would a new grad orient in each? Also how long was classroom orientation, if you know?

It is the critical care internship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I think about 6 ICU's were utilized, including: burn trauma, surgical trauma, cardiovascular, neurological, medical, and one other I can't recall. I have a friend in the internship that says they train for a month in each department. Classroom orientation exceeds one year. It really is a fantastic program, I'm sure yours is too.

Such a position would open many doors. RRT/code team, flight nursing, CRNA, etc. Choose wisely.

PhysioJ · May 24, 2016

It is the critical care internship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I think about 6 ICU's were utilized, including: burn trauma, surgical trauma, cardiovascular, neurological, medical, and one other I can't recall. I have a friend in the internship that says they train for a month in each department. Classroom orientation exceeds one year. It really is a fantastic program, I'm sure yours is too.
Such a position would open many doors. RRT/code team, flight nursing, CRNA, etc. Choose wisely.

Thanks again, I checked out their site, looks good. I guess what was throwing me off was the idea of spending 1-2 months per ICU, and whether that was really enough time. But I'm guessing it works out if places like UoU place new grads in the ICU float pool.

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 28, 2016

Has anyone ever heard of new graduate RNs being hired into ICU float pools? I've heard that there is some interest at a hospital I know of in starting a program for new grad RNs to be in the ICU float pool, and I'm wondering about anyone's thoughts on such a program. From what I understand, float pools are generally for an experienced nurse (at least 1 year) who wouldn't need that much of an orientation. I'm thinking that in creating a new grad float program you'd have to have at least the same length of an orientation as a new grad hired into a specific unit, if not longer.
What do you think would be needed to help make such a program successful? Do you have such a program at your hospital? This program I think would include floating between MICU, SICU, CCU, and maybe Neuro ICU.

Yikes!! I would have never felt comfortable enough to do this right out of school...I guess, though, if you take the lightest patients in any of those units it wouldn't be too bad. Still, the sickest person at my current ICU is the less acute patient in any other ICU I've ever worked in so I guess it's all relative.

It's been done before so it's definitely possible, but I'd forgotten that the orientation would be long as well and you definitely don't want to skimp on that, especially since new grads admittedly shouldn't and don't know much. :nurse:

luck to you!

xo